Thomas Jia
Principle Consultant
Jarraga
Thomas Jia, is a descendent of Badu Island on the Western Region of Zenadth Kes (Torres Straits),
Guugu Yimidhirr language group and the Wanyurr Majay Yindinji nation.
Thomas is the Principal Consultant of Jarraga FNQ a local business that supports building and
strengthening relationship between our First Nations people and the abundance of cultures that
make up Australia.
Thomas been working in the sector for over 30 years in the last 15 of those in senior management
roles of Youth, Families, and Mental Health. I have been granted Cultural Authority to honour my
mother’s and Dad’s stories, that is deeply nestled in the work that Jarraga does. Thomas’s
Philosophy is working from an asset and strength-based framework where leading from behind
highlights the strengths of individuals, community, and organisations to take centre stage.
Thomas’s projects that lead from behind including highlighting the concerns of unsafe gambling of
our First Nations communities by being apart of two short videos called “Lets Yarn About Gambling.
Sessions
11.10
Leading from behind: lessons from years of facilitating connections between community and mainstream organisations
-Leading by listening and learning in order to make more informed decisions, be more empathetic, and demonstrate positive behaviour
Analysing the different forms of leadership that went into working with the Young Father's Group and Gambling Help Queensland